Switch and foot guard.



PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

R. H. FRIZZELL.

SWITCH AND FOOT GUARD.

APPLICATION FILED T11R24. 1904.

NO MODEL.

qwibneooao Y Gite (Mex! UNITED STATES Patented July 5, 1904'.

PATENT @rEicE.

SWITCH AND FOOT GUARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 763,974, dated July 5', I904.

Application filed February 24, 1904. Serial No. 195,023. (No model.)

T 0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT HALAWAY FRIZ- ZELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Star Limeworks, in the county of Lyon and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switch and Foot Guards, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to produce a switch so constructed as to avoid any possibility of 'a persons foot being caught in the same. It is Well known that where rails meet or cross each other at an acute anglea liability exists that the foot of a person will slip and be caught between the rails, leading frequently to fatal or other accidents, and foot-guards of various kinds have been originated with the intent to avoid the danger of such accident. Such devices have, as a rule, been applicable only to frogs where the rails are relatively immovable and not suitable for switches where movement must take place.

The invention hereinafter described is particularly applicable to split switches; and it consists of very simple means to prevent a foot being caught between the switch-point and the adjacent rail.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein the device is illustrated, Figure 1 is a plan view of a track-section embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

It is known or assumed that no foot is less than two inches or more than five inches broad, and the invention includes the idea of making the space between the rails either less than two inches or more than five inches. This is effected in a manner hereinafter described.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the main-track rails are indicated at 6 and the siding-rails at 7. A split switch is shown, the points being indicated at 8, connected by a bar 9, which is connected to the switch-rod in the ordinary manner. Each point 8 comprises a short rail-section beveled down to a thin edge in the usual manner, and each section is provided on the side thereof next the adjacent rail with an offset or enlarged portion which reduces the space between the rails to not more than two inches, whether the switch be open or closed. This ofiset portion may be produced in various ways. Ihave illustrated two, one being formed of wood, secured to the side of the switch point, and the other being formed integrally therewith. The one 10 indicates the block of wood. This extends from the base to the top of the rail and is' properly shaped to fit the side thereof and is attached thereto by bolts, as indicated at 11. The other is indicated at 12 and consists of an enlargement produced on the side of theswitch-point at the time it is made and solid and integral therewith. Whether made of wood or metal the face of the enlargement next the adjacent rail is vertical and flat. The enlargement broadens the head of the switch-point and at a sufficient distance toward the rear ends abruptly, as indicated at 13, producing a square shoulder. This shoulder is preferably produced where the rails are morethan five inches apart, so that there is no possibility of a foot being caught behind the shoulder. There is also no possibility of a foot being placed accidentally between the rails and under the heads thereof, because the shoulder extends from the top to the bottom of the rail, and in case of a person walking the toe of the shoe will strike against the square shoulder presented, making it impossible for the foot to become caught in that manner. Also if the foot be placed upon the switch- -point there is no possibility that it can slip between said point and the adjacent rail, because the space left by the ofl'set is sosmall that the foot'cannot slip down between them. Furthermore, in order to guard against any possibility of driving the foot between the tip of the switch-point and the adjacent rail the space between the head and base of the rail on the side next the switch-point is filled by a block or thickened web 14L, as indicated in Fig. 2. The switch-point closes against this block, and inasmuch as the contacting side of the switch-point is flat, as said before. a close joint is formed in which nothing can be accidentally thrust. The switch is thus protected at both ends, so that the feet of persons walking in either way are not liable to be caught. The square shoulder at 13 is preferably beveled on the corner, as at 15, to take the car-wheel flanges in even the widest play thereof; but it has been found that two inches are suflicient to accommodate the same under any ordinary circumstances.

By the construction above described afootguard is formed at once simple and efiicient without the cost incident to devices having springs and the like. It may be applied with very little extra cost either to old switches by the use of the wooden block described or to new switches by having the switch-points made with the offset originally as described. The ordinary or known foot-guards are not readily applicable to switch-points or split switches, but as a rule are suitable for the frog only.

My invention also includes an improved device for use at the frog. It consists of a wedgeshaped metal block 16, which is set between the converging rails and is of a height substantially equal thereto. This block is fastened to the ties by spikes or otherwise, and it is free from the objections incident to the use of wooden blocks, which are usually bolted to the rails and work loose from vibration or become rotten after awhile and have to be renewed. The block is set so as to allow a space for the wheel-flange between it and the rails, but not sufficient space for the slip of a foot thercbetween.

The invention above described is also serviceable in preventing beasts from catching their feet or hoofs in the switch. The hoofs of most domestic animals of a nature which might be caught are too large to slip between rails provided with my improvement.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A split switch-point the head of which on the side next to the adjoining rail has a lateral extension or enlargement, preserving anarrow space between the head of the point and the head of the rail, and terminating in a squared shoulder at the rear.

2. The combination with the standing rail having a block or portion filling the space between the head and base thereof, of a swinging switch-point arranged to strike the rail at said. block, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT IIALAWAY FRIZZELL.

Htnesses:

T. H. GRIFFIN, LOUISE GRIFFIN. 

